This weekend CCDI hosted its monthly Saturday Academy at North Tech High School in Florissant, Missouri—an event that has become a cornerstone of the program. This month’s session shined a spotlight on one of CCDI’s greatest strengths: our alumni. These remarkable young partners return year after year to teach, mentor, and encourage the next class of students. Many are now accomplished journeymen and journeywomen in their trades, working with trusted Clayco subcontractors including Flooring Systems, Concrete Strategies, PayneCrest, Kuesel, icon Mechanical, Henderson's Electric and Murphy Co. Several of these partners generously donated materials for the day, making each hands-on experience possible.

There is something deeply inspiring about a room filled with more than 65 young people choosing to wake up early on a Saturday to invest in their futures. It takes a village to support and guide our youth and today was a reminder of the powerful community that has grown within CCDI.

Thank you to Rachel Boemer, Brian Williams, Dan Lester  Pat Hanneken for your constant support and all the subcontractors who not only participate in events like this but who actively hire, train, and retain our graduates. Your commitment makes this work possible. Together, we are building more than careers—we are building a foundation for lasting change in all of our communities.